Signal apparatus for railways and highways



18 192 Oct 7 E. D. SCARBOROUGH SIGNAL APPARATUS FOR RAILWAYS AND HIGHWAYS Filed Nov.l9. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l I N V EN TOR. 5/7770/"6 2- C904 fi/aora uyh,

a; A ORNEYA 'Oct. 18,1927. 1 I

E. D. SCARBOROUGH SIGNAL APPARATUS FOR RAILWAYS AND HIGHWAYS Filed Nov.l9; 1926 I, II

"mum,",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. 4%0/"6 fl Scararoa 7A,

3' T ORNEY.

Patented Oct. 18,- 1927.,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELMOBE D. SCARBOROUGH F CORSICANA, TEXAS.

SIGNAL nrrnnarus non nmwaxs AND HIGHWAYS.

Application filed. November 19, 1928. Serial No. 149,287.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in signal apparatus for mstallation at crossings of railways and Intersecting highways and also at railway grade crossings, to warn drivers of vehlcles and likewise the-engineer of a railway lo comotive, of an approaching train. The lnvention is also-constructed and operatively arranged as to enable the engineer to be certain that the signals are in operation before the crossing point is reached on the occasion of both highway and railway crossings. The apparatus is also capable of utilization for street signaling.

The present invention is a continuation in part of an application for patent filed February 4, 1926, under Serial Number 85,912.

- wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a highway and railway crossing and illustrating an embodiment of the signal apparatus installed thereupon.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of F1g ure 1 the view being taken along the center between the rails.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view illus-' trating the wiring arrangement. I

Figure 4 is a vertical and longitudinal sectional view of the switch box, arm and signals.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of a box containing the element for connecting the electrical circuit by the wheels of a locomotive or car.

Figure 6 is a view,similar to Figure 5, taken along the line .66 ofFigure 5.

Figures 7 and 8 are, respectively, an enlarged detail "view and a cross-sectional view of a dash-pot. Figure 8 being on line 88 of Figure 7.

Proceeding in accordance with the drawings, wherein numerals are employed to designate the various parts of the apparatus, 1 denotes one of the railway rails supported upon the cross-ties 2-2 and 3 indicates the intersecting highway.

Referring to Figures 2. and 4, a switchbox is designated at 4 having a battery 4 and provided with a door. 4". The box has its top converging upwardly and provides an opening for threaded or other means of connection for a short length of pipe 5.

The pipe 5 is connected by an elbow 6 to an overhanging tubular arm 7 and on this arm 1s suspended by means of the short tubular member 8, a lamp body 9. The member 8 has an elbow and short nipple that screw in flange at the top of the lamp body. However, this form of construction may be varied and is only an instance of one mode A of construction thereof.

Thedamp body- 9 as will be apparent has four sides and on each of two of the sides directly opposite one another are two green colored lenses 12-12. On each of the diametrically opposite sides of the lamp body are two similar lenses 13-13, colored red. On the overhanging arm is a bell 14. The globes 15 and the bell 14 are connected into an electric circuit by the wires 16 and 17 and included in this same circuit is a time-recorder or time clock 14*. Thewires 16 and 17 are connected to each of the arms 18 of a switch and thence are connected to the 23 is connected to a plunger rod 24 and a 7 wire 25 leading from the other post of the battery is connected to a contact 26.. The lower end of the plunger 24' includes a wiper or contact 27 and the contact 26 a wiper element 28.

Referring to Figure 5 it will be observed that the plunger 24 has a wheel-engaging head 29 and is seated in a. box 30 which includes a covering 31. A collar 32 is armotive or car rides over the head 29.

Referr' to Figure 7 also Figure 4 the. solenoid a reciprocating rod 38 and below the solenoid is a dash-pot 39.

Particular attention is 'dlrected to this dash-pot as-it forms one ofthe main'elel ments of the invention; This dash-pot is closed at top and bottom and is normally filled with 011. The rod 38 passesinto the dash-pot and is connected to a cup 40. The "cup has a plurality of apertures 41 to allow free passage of oil an on the lower end -whichisopenisadisk42. Thisdiskis loosely connected to the cup by two ormore pins or screws 43., Thus when the cup is moving up or down the disk will normally open or close the lower end of the cup.

The wall of this cup is drilled for a screw 44; The object of this screw is to limit the upward movement of the cu to properly timethe signals, as obviously t e head of the a screw when comlng into contact with the cover of the dash-pot will stop the upward movement of the cup.

This arrangement will be better understood by reference to the switch arm 45. This arm carries an insulating plug 46 and operates to move apart the switch arms 18 on the downward movement of the rod 38. Manifestly the time required to o n or close the switch will depend upon t e distangoe the cup moves-determined bythe 7 settingof the screw 44.

- Now when a locomotive wheel or car wheel rides upon the head of the plunger 24, the plunger will be depressed and tilted slightly causing the contacts 27 and 28 to wipe each other thus connecting the circuit. The solenoid then draws upward the rod 38, ulling the plug 46 outfrom between the switch points and closing the circuit. The bell will be sounded and the chanically opera-ted switch ada t passing in either direction. After the locomotive has passed over the first plunger, on striking the opposite one the'current is not affected, since the plunger on being depressed on its side opposite the contacts will not open or close the circuit.

It should be understood that the plunger is adaptable to being placed oneither side of a rail so that either the flange or tread of the wheel will depress the plunger. Also that modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and meaning of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A signal apparatus. comprisin a me-,

to be mounted adjacent a railway ra' and operated by the wheel of a car passing along. the rail, a circuit controlled'by said switch including a solenoid, means for retarding the operation of said solenoid, and a second switch controlled by said solenoid having.

suitable signals in circuit therewith, said switch being normally open when the solenoid is inactive, but closed when the solenoid is actuated and maintained in closed position for a predetermined period of time by said retarding means, whereby the circuit is closed through said signal, and the signal operated during said predetermined period.

'2. A signal apparatus for railways and highways comprising a mechanically actuated switch adapted to be mounted adjacent a railway rail and operated by the wheel of 7 .a car passing along the rail, a circuit controlled by said car operated switch including a'solenoid, said solenoid having a rod extending from the core thereof, a retarding dash pot at one end of the rod, a switch controlled by said solenoid, having suitable Sig-- nallsl i3 circuit therewith, said solenpid contro e switc comprising a air 0 ri fingers tending to contact with each thia r and an insulating plug carried by said solenoid rod'normally holding said spring fingers apart when the solenoid is inactive, but being withdrawn when the solenoid is activated and maintained in withdrawn position for a determined period of time by the operation of said dash pot, whereby the circuit through said signal is closed and the signal operated during said predetermined lights displayed, including the working of e d the clock, until the screw 44- strikes the to of the cup, whereupon the cup will descen' 'tch arms 18 and break the cirtheswl cuit. Asthe cup rises the oil will pass through the apertures 41', the 42 being atthe point shown in the drawing, Figure 7 On descending the disk is forced against the mouth of the cup andthe' movement ofthe latter downward will be slow enough to permit the signals to sound and be displayed as.

' t is efiective for highways comprising a mechanically 3. signal apparatus for railways and ated'switch adapted to be mounted ad'acent a railway, and operated by the wheeof a' actucarpassing along the railway, a'circuit con;

trolled by said car operated switch, and including visible and audible signals, and in; cluding a switch controlled by a solenoid,

said'circuit being normally inoperative, said solenoid controlled switch including a pair of spring contact fingers, said solenoid adapted'to energized when the car actuated switch is operated, a rod carried by said is activated, and to be maintained in withsolenoid having at one end a retarding dash drawn position for a determined time by pot, an arm connected to said rod, and an said dash pot, whereby said spring contact 10 insulating plug carried by said rod adapted fingers are brought together and said sig- 5 to normally engage and separate the spring nals operated.

fingers of said solenoid actuated switch, but In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

. adapted to be withdrawn when the solenoid v ELMORE D. SCARBOROUGH. 

